I want to express my most heartfelt thanks to you and all your staff for the wonderful home you made for Mom all these many years.She was so happy there and we feel so blessed to have known the quality of her environment and the kind and caring staff....they treated her so lovingly and patiently. I cannot tell you with words how much we appreciate all you did for her. I can only say you are running the best institution of it's kind on the face of the planet!

As the representative of the family of Beth Cothren (mom), some of you know me as “Len,” I wish to express my appreciation to all the nursing assistants who cared for our mom, which was often a challenging effort with, seemingly, little recognition. As difficult at times as mom could be, I know many of you contributed in many positive ways to her healthcare during the sunset years of her life at APH. We all know she was one of the more feisty and argumentative (especially with me) residents, as she fought with blindness and a degree of dementia. I have gained a respect and sincere appreciation for the expertise and caring that the APH nurses provide, not just for our mom which is now in the past, but also for the many pioneers who have come before us.

A simple “Thank You” seems quite inadequate. Although I remember few of your names, I know that several of you have served and cared for mom’s needs in an exceptional manner. Our family is planning a contribution to the APH employee recognition fund.

The Arizona Pioneers’ Home is the greatest Home in the country - no, the globe. We have never truly thanked you and all the staff and family at the Arizona Pioneers' Home for the loving care to all the residents that you so generously provide. We never visited the Home when the entire building wasn't fresh and clean and the residents appeared to be well cared for and loved. It is a testament to your entire family and friends.

My mother, Lerene S. Clow (resident from Nov. 2000, to Jan. 2008), had many friends stay at the Home over the years and our family spent much time visiting with them and others. My mother looked forward to getting accepted and was excited to be at such a wonderful place which is truly a "home" in all the best ways possible. She was always complementary about the wonderful and cheerful staff and volunteers that keep the atmosphere positive, happy and healthy. Her seven years with you were a joy for her and we are forever grateful for the loving care you all provided.

Again we want to thank all the fine people of the Arizona Pioneers' Home for your unselfish dedication and hard work for Arizona's pioneers. Please give our best to all those who have made the Arizona Pioneers' Home a shining example of loving care to our greatest generations.

Please let all of your staff know how much I appreciate the excellent care given to my dad (Glenn Alvis) all of the years he was in the Pioneers’ Home. Dad love it there. I would like to note a special thanks to Lark Cyr for the help and the memorial service she set up and hosted for us. It turned out just great. Dale and all of the nurses and the rest of the staff have been so pleasant and helpful to me and dad over the years and I thank everyone for the great service. Thanks so much, Roy Alvis.

I just wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful care that you gave to my father, George Pauk. And to me and my siblings before and after Dad's passing. The compassion that you all have is phenomenal. I will always carry with me the memories of all that you did for Dad and our family. Thank you! Pam Abbe

I never expressed my gratitude enough to you when my mom was alive, so I hope this tells you how I feel.

To just say “thank you” for all you did for my mom and me would not even come close to what I feel when I think of you guys. From cleaning her glasses, combing her hair, clipping her nails, feeding her, and the countless other things that you did to keep her comfortable, happy, clean, healthy and dignified, I will forever be grateful. For over 14 years, you guys took care of her and were kind and compassionate to her. You were also her friend. I knew that if I couldn’t make it in to see her, she would still be taken care of. You never made me feel guilty. You didn’t just do the necessary things, but went the extra measure. You give your heart and soul to make everyone there feel not like an elderly person just waiting to die, but you give them respect and dignity. Your patience and love to her and the rest of the residents are evident in everything you say and do. I thought I knew something about compassion and love, but I think Mother Theresa could take lessons from you guys. You not only were nice to her, but you treated her sometimes (?) grumpy and demanding family just as nice. I saw it all, and I am thankful.

From the nurses and CNA’s to the kitchen personnel, to the staff who clean everything, the administrative, maintenance, and laundry workers, and the rest of the workers, I salute you all. You keep the Home a clean, safe, friendly and healthy place to live, a true “home,” a place to call their own, a place to find refuge and friendship and warmth. I know your jobs aren’t easy, but you make it seem that way. You help each other without hesitation, do your jobs with an energy that reflects the true love you have in your heart, treat your co-workers and residents with consideration and compassion.

I have never seen so many good people concentrated in one place, all with genuine smiles, friendliness and cooperation. Your sense of humor is tested daily. The ability to laugh at yourself and joke with others is one of the most endearing qualities.

Without the Home and you guys to take care of them, many of the residents would have passed a long time ago from loneliness or neglect, accidents or despair, or from just plain old sadness.

I could go on and on, but this should give you an idea of how I feel. It’s all you and you’re all great, and you have one of the most important jobs in the world. You are all friends.

This note is too short to express my true gratitude for such a long time of you guys treating my mom like your own, and putting up with my occasional short visits and eccentricities. I learned a lot by observing the goodness in all of you. Hugs to all of you. Mom would smile sweetly and just say, “thank you.”

This letter is way over-due. Almost 7 years ago I sat for the first time with Dale and my mother in his office. Mom had been accepted into the home (she had been living with me). I thought she probably wouldn't live another year. I felt extremely guilty. I cried for 2 weeks after I left her there. My mother is happy (her kids don't visit like they should). She's made many good friends but I think most of her good friends are you. You take great care of her. You're kind and sincere. She loves you and raves about most of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

A special thanks to mom's "Shining Stars" -- Jessica (Physical Therapist) and Betty (Nurse). But she loves all of you from the maintenance crew on up! If anyone ever has doubts about putting their parents in your home, have them read this!

(Directed to Governor Janet Napolitano) My Father, a retired Arizona miner, has been a resident of the Pioneers’ Home in Prescott for the past year and a half. Last week, he died there at the age of 92.

My brother and I have found the Pioneers’ Home to be an outstanding facility for the care of elderly Arizonans. When Dad entered the home, his health was good enough that he enjoyed a great deal of independence. Since we live reasonably close to Prescott, my husband and I would visit him on a regular basis, take him out to lunch or to a store if he needed to buy something, and then return him to the Home. He was always glad to get away for an hour or two, but he was also always happy to return. He had a real comfort level there. In November, his health began to deteriorate; and he was moved to an area of the home where he could have round the clock assistance based on his needs.

My husband and I have had some experience with retirement homes over the years, mainly as a result of the elderly people in his family. We’ve been to many of them, and the experience hasn’t always been positive. Some don’t smell good; the employees seem disinterested; the food is substandard; and the residents aren’t well cared for. That is not the case at the Pioneers’ Home. The employees there really seemed to love Dad; and he wasn’t always a loveable person. We’ve never noticed offensive odors at the home. Despite the fact it is an old facility, it is unbelievably clean. The management and staff are undeniably dedicated to the care of the residents.

As an Arizona native, I am very proud of this jewel in the crown of our social services for the elderly; and we are thankful to our Arizona State Government for maintaining the Pioneers’ Home.

(Directed to Linda Fischer, Director of Nursing) We would like to commend you for the excellent management of the nursing staff at Arizona Pioneers’ Home. We know that your position entails an awesome responsibility. We would like to thank you for all that you and your staff do for the residents.

On my visits to APH, I always see a nurse and/or assistant putting forth extra effort and going out of their way to make a resident feel better about themselves or just to say a kind word or display a tender touch. This is such a rare happening in our day. Yet, it is an every day occurrence at APH.

The Home is always spotless and the residents are so fortunate to have such professional and caring nurses and CNAs to care for them.

We appreciate the continuity of care the stable staff provides to the residents. It is so comfortable to call to speak to a nurse, assistant or office staff. They know the person they are speaking with and really know the resident we are inquiring about.

It is our understanding in talking with Dad, that he is at ease and comfortable with the staff working with him at this time. We wanted you to know how deeply we appreciate you and everyone at APH. It is truly a blessing to know that we do not have to ever worry about Dad and that he is in such capable and caring hands. Thank you for your time, hard work and expertise!